No reason for Najib to get RM42m from SRC, says Ling

Former MCA president Dr Ling Liong Sik said there is no legitimate reason for SRC International Sdn Bhd, a former subsidiary of 1MDB, to channel an extraordinary sum of RM42 million into Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's personal bank accounts.

Ling in his defence statement and counter-claim over Najib's suit said the transfer occurred sometime between December 2014 and February 2015.

He said SRC, incorporated on Jan 7, 2011 was formerly controlled by 1MDB but is now owned by Najib's Finance Ministry.

SRC owns 998 shares out of the total paid-up capital of 1,000 shares of Gandingan Mentari Sdn Bhd, he said.

“There is no legitimate reason why SRC had caused to channel any money, let alone the extraordinarily large sum of RM42 million into the plaintiff's personal bank accounts.

“There is no reason for Najib to personally receive such an extraordinarily large sum into his personal accounts.

“Therefore at the very least, Najib has created a public perception that the transfer was not for legitimate purposes and that Najib was not honest and transparent,” he said.

Ling, who is formerly transport minister, also pleaded fair comment and qualified privileges in his defence, which he filed today.

The former MCA president also in his counter-claim against the PM said if Najib cared about his reputation, then he ought to institute legal action against all the Umno leaders past and present that have criticised him.

This includes former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad, US daily the Wall Street Journal and whistleblower website Sarawak Report.

[More to follow]

-Mkini